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Would new stadium give Minneapolis a Superbowl? History says probably

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February 27, 2012 // UPDATED 1:19 pm - March 2, 2012

By: Nick Halter

Nick Halter

State leaders and Vikings officials said yesterday that they want to attract big events to a new Vikings stadium that will boost the local economy. But the terms of a stadium deal did not include an NFL guarantee for a Superbowl to be played in Minneapolis.

What does precedent tell us about the likelihood of Minneapolis getting a Superbowl?

In the past 10 years, nine cities have opened NFL stadiums. Of those nine, six of them have either hosted a Superbowl or will host an upcoming Superbowl.

Only three cities — Philadelphia in 2003, Seattle in 2002 and Foxborough (New England) in 2002 — have built new stadiums only to be passed over by the NFL for a Superbowl.

All three of those cities are cold and their stadiums don’t have roofs.

Five of the other six markets — Dallas, Indianapolis, Phoenix, Detroit and Houston — are either warm cities or have a roofed stadium. Only New Jersey, where the Giants and Jets play, have been picked to host an outdoor Superbowl in a cold city.

University of Phoenix Stadium was built in 2006. It hosted the 2008 Superbowl and is scheduled to host the 2015 Superbowl.

A new Vikings stadium would have either a fixed roof, or, if more money becomes available, a retractable roof.

Minneapolis hosted the 1992 Superbowl, 10 years after the Metrodome was completed.

The stadium plan released yesterday would have the Vikings stadium opening in time the 2016 season. The NFL has not selected cities to host the Superbowl after the 2015 Superbowl in Arizona.